“Too often, making resolutions just ends in disappointment for me, as I cannot keep to the many that I set for myself. So, instead, I’m going to succeed in some way, no matter how small, in everything I do. I’m going to thrive in my everyday life. I will grow as a person, a wife, a photographer, a writer, a friend, a blogger, and hopefully as a mother by year’s end. I will prosper both in my current career, as well as what may be a future one.”

Looking back, I feel pretty good about fulfilling it…

I scored a promotion at work that I’d been striving for for over five years.

I gained some culture on an amazing (yet far too short) trip to Europe with my husband.

I joined Sunday Supper, went to two blogging conferences, met some of my favorite “famous bloggers,” and made some serious connections with brands and some great people who I can now call friends.

My photography continues to improve, as I learn more about styling and staging, and shooting in RAW format. (I even shot a video just in time to be too late for New Year’s Eve!)

I took the bull by the horns with my blog and started using it as additional income, reinvesting it back into the blog with a new layout, post promotion, and snazzy new equipment.

The only thing that didn’t flourish in my life last year was the little one I prayed for, but for what it’s worth, I can’t exactly control that. Just need to soldier on and add it to the list for this year.

That said, I’m pretty convinced that the #OneWord365 thing really works, as long as you commit to it. I’ve started work on a vision board to hang by my desk to remind me of how much I’m expecting from myself, and my word for 2016 is…

el·e·vate /ˈeləˌvāt/verb

to lift up or make higher

to raise in rank or status

to improve morally, intellectually, or culturally

to raise the spirits of

Last year, I took root as a thirty-something, a blogger, a photographer. I flourished as a wife, a friend, a manager.

Now it’s time to take it to the next level.

I thought long and hard about which word to choose, but elevate was the closest to what I was aiming for.

Elevate : health. marriage. career(s). faith. life. I’m keeping it simple, because I believe that everything else will fall into place.

Instructions

Combine milk, juice, and spinach in a blender. Puree until spinach is mostly liquefied. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth, adding protein powder if desired, and extra agave nectar and/or to taste. Portion into two glasses and enjoy!

by Erica

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size

Amount Per Serving

As Served

Calories508kcalCalories from fat 245

% Daily Value

Total Fat27g

42%

Saturated Fat10g

50%

Transfat0g

Cholesterol31mg

10%

Sodium162mg

7%

Carbohydrate65g

22%

Dietary Fiber18g

72%

Sugars39g

Protein8g

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs:

Calories

2000

Total Fat

Less than

65g

Sat Fat

Less than

25g

Cholesterol

Less than

300mg

Sodium

Less than

2,400mg

Total Carbohydrate

300g

Dietary Fiber

25g

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Sounds like you had a very productive year last year. You also reminded me that small goals are just as important as bigger ones. I’ll happily put this smoothie into my weekly meal rotation. Sounds so good.

I love green smoothies and try to have one every day. It seems to be the easiest way to get in veggies and fruits with lots of nutrition. The colors are so vibrant in this smoothie and it looks delicious!